— NIRAS Africa, in partnership with the Ministry of Industrialization, Trade and Enterprise Development, has officially concluded its landmark “Kia to 50” program–an initiative that has empowered high-potential SMEs to scale innovation, productivity, and sustainability.
Speaking at the closing event, Florence Gatome, Head of NIRAS Africa, applauded the resilience of the participating small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), especially amid recent global disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The journey from Kia to 15, and now Kia to 50, has been one of resilience and adaptation,” she said. “Today, we celebrate businesses that refused to give up. Instead, they digitized, innovated, and adopted sustainable growth strategies.”
The program has supported over 50 SMEs to enhance efficiency by embracing digital tools, improving strategic management, and streamlining operations. Many of the firms involved reported tangible productivity gains and increased competitiveness in both local and global markets.
Notably, half of the SMEs that joined the original 2020 cohort returned for the 2023 round, reflecting the initiative’s long-term value and relevance.
Gatome emphasized three core lessons learned: adaptability, strategic foresight, and the power of collective effort. She also announced ongoing consultations to explore scaling the program to reach more enterprises in future phases.
